The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has adopted a new Riedel Artist digital matrix intercom network and Bolero wireless intercom system at its main auditorium, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, to manage live performances of plays by Shakespeare, his contemporaries and living artists.

The Riedel solution replaced an existing wired, two-ring intercom system previously in use at the 1,018-seat theatre.

‘In choosing a new intercom system, our main priorities were reliability, sound quality, and ease of use. We tried another wireless system without success, and after looking at a variety of other solutions, Riedel was an easy choice,’ says RSC Head of Sound, Jeremy Dunn. ‘As soon as it was safe for the Riedel team to enter our theatre after the Covid-19 lockdown, the company quickly conducted a site survey, compiled a system design, and performed a smooth installation despite supply chain issues. The system was up and running in time for our next show and has been performing exceptionally since.’

At the heart of the new Riedel system is an Artist-128 intercom node, equipped with six AES67-108, two Dante-108 and one GPI-116 client card. The Artist platform integrates with the Royal Shakespeare Theatre’s Bolero wireless intercom system, which comprises six antenne and 40 wireless beltpacks.

With the exception of a few fixed locations where RSP-2318, RSP-1216HL and DSP-2312 SmartPanels are used, the RSC is now relying exclusively on wireless communications in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. With the Bolero system, there is no need for the company to run cables for two-wire beltpacks, saving set-up time to speed up its workflow. In addition, individual beltpacks can be quickly and easily configured for different users, while the system offers excellent sound quality with connectivity across multiple antennas.

‘A world-renowned theatre company, the RSC is always looking for innovative solutions to deliver an engaging experience for attendees, and we are thrilled that they chose Riedel,’ says Riedel UK Sales Manager, Nacho Lee. ‘With our Artist and Bolero systems in place, the RSC has clear, comfortable communications throughout its Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and is looking to bring those same capabilities to other auditoriums too.

‘Bolero is already being used at the Cambridge Theatre for the West End musical Matilda, and the RSC is planning to roll out the system at the Swan Theatre and The Other Place as well. We look forward to working further with the company as it continues its mission of bringing Shakespeare to everyone.’

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